The daughter of Australian Football League standout Greg Phillips, Erin Phillips played Aussie-rules football until age 13, and that experience is still evident in her aggressive, energetic style of play since switching to basketball. Drafted by the Connecticut Sun in 2005 at age 20, Phillips came to the WNBA the following season and played three years in the league despite missing time due to a torn ACL and preparation for the 2008 Olympics. In 2009, Phillips emerged as a starter alongside Lindsay Whalen, averaging a career-high 8.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Phillips has also been an international fixture, winning a silver medal with the Australian National Team in 2008 and the 2006 FIBA World Championship as well as competing against the league's best players in Euroleague action.